Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big East Basketball: Creighton rises on top in latest 2020-21 power rankings

By Salvador Lopez

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Marcus Zegarowski #11 of the Creighton Bluejays in action in the game against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Wintrust Arena on January 22, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Marcus Zegarowski #11 of the Creighton Bluejays in action in the game against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Wintrust Arena on January 22, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 12
Next
Big East Basketball Paul Scruggs Xavier Musketeers Marquette Golden Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Paul Scruggs Xavier Musketeers Marquette Golden Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

During my previous Big East Basketball power rankings in January, I noted that there was some separation with the conference developing into tiers with the bottom, middle, and top of the conference.

Now, as we are in late-February, those tiers that had developed in the conference during January have started to crumble with close games and upsets over the last month.

Since January 16th, 11 Big East games have resulted in upsets. These shocking outcomes have been able to shake up the standings and spoil the potential hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid for some of the teams in the conference.

According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, four Big East teams are currently in Lunardi’s latest bracketology, with Villanova (2 seed), Creighton (5 seed), Xavier (10 seed), and Seton Hall (10 seed), all making the projected tournament field. While bubble teams UConn is currently projected as the first team out of the bracket.

With less than three weeks before Selection Sunday, the rest of the conference has been trying to catch Villanova at the top of the standings. On Saturday, February 13th, Creighton was able to catch up to Villanova. The Bluejays knocked off the Wildcats in a convincing 86-70 victory in Omaha.

Besides the top two in the conference with Villanova and Creighton, the remaining five teams with Xavier, Seton Hall, UConn, and St. John’s are all fighting for spots into the NCAA Tournament as part of the bubble. The Red Storm snuck their way onto the bubble over three weeks ago when they went on a six-game winning streak, which included an upset victory at home over Villanova 70-59.

Meanwhile, towards the bottom of the conference, DePaul, Butler, and Georgetown have both been able to pull off at least two upsets so far this season in conference play. The Blue Demons, Bulldogs, and Hoyas will look to continue to spoil their opponent’s NCAA Tournament seeding or chances of a bid in March.

As we are now towards the end of February, this is the time for Big East teams to capitalize with earning quality victories, especially for the teams on the bubble.

Depending on the last three weeks remaining, I project that the Big East will land most likely four or five bids into the NCAA Tournament.

*Games included for the rankings are through 2/21

Home/Big East